San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1887-02-11

eddy. Don't you, guardy? Hes going TO
: love us awfully. Come, see If he isn't,
! Daisy"
Thus urged Daisy's sObs lesSened and she
slid down from her nurses lap and allowed
her sister to drag her toward Jonas, who
looked askance at her tear-lrenched face
and splashed garments, wondering how he
was to prove to this watcry damsel the depth
of his affection for her. But the Misses
Hetherington took the matter out of his
hands by Rose putting her arms about his
neck and kissing him warmly, but decorous-
ly, while Daisy climbed upon his knee and
smeared his face with her wet one, inquir-
ing:
"IIave you got any new playthings for
usP'
mo; but I'll get you something very
nice" he answered, hurriedly, glad TO seize
upon this mode Of pacilicatiOn, and looking
thoroughly uncomfortable In his unwOnted
position. something very nice" nc re-
peated, almost cOaXingly. And now, hadn't
you better go with Mrs. Wilson and see
what comfortable rooms she can find you,
and what nice supper? think she has
ah-jam-and marmalade--and cake-Or
something nice" feeling from his ignorance
OF what was beguiling TO the youthful APP
petite, forced to fall back upon the 'some-
thing NICE"
"Oh, yes" said Daisy, beginning to beam,
and Juggling at Roses hand, I'm hungry"
VERY well. Mrs. Wilson, you will see
that the-ah-the Misses Hetherington--ar
provided with every comfort"
And assuming something of his usual I'M
bending dignity, Jonas Everard bowed the
party out of his study, and prepared to shut
them out as well. But the nurse fingered,
thrust one hand into capaclous pocket,
and dragged forth bulky envelope.
"Therel Master said as how l was to give
you that and to tell you that he'd sent his
children as legacies to you, and trusted as
how you'd be as kind to them as you was
once to him" and having delivered her mes
sage In voice broken with tears the faith
full woman followed her charges, who were
rOmplng through the wide hall in manner
that was awful beyond expression to good
Mrs. Wilson.
There was suspicion Of moisture In Jonas
Everard's eyes as he closed the door and
seated himself at his desk with Owens let
ter In his hand. He had loved the boy years
ago, when they had been In the same classes
at Yale, and he had been Owens one COM
forter and ally when the small, affectionate,
but passionate lad had suffered the pangs of
inconsistencies and aroused the hostility of
all his other schoOlmates by his hot temper
and pride. Then had come separation when
they went out into the world, and they had
never met since, though few letters pass
ed between them at intervals of years.
. Jonas knew that Owen had not married I'M
til he was IS, but was utterly ignorant of his
friends domestic life; while HetheringtOn
knew that Jonas had never married at all,
but lived lonely, secluded, studious life in
the old family homestead, but was ignorant
of that passage IN his friends life which had
transformed him into a recluse and woman
hater.
1t was with heart growing m0mentarily
more tender and eyes more moist that Jonas
Eyerard read how HetheringtOn dying--the
last Of his race-bequeathed TO the friend
who had always held the old, warm place
in his affections his two little daughters and
the charge Of their property.
"Youmay find them troublesome charges"
he wrote, but for my sake keep them, Ev-
erard, the poor little creatures, by wretch
ed fate made mOtherleSs, and now by this
incurable disease SO soon to be robbed of
their only relative. They are prepared TO
love you, old friend, for tell them about
you daily, and you will find them deeply at
fectionate."
BY the time he came to the end Of the let
ter some real tears dropped from Jonas Ev-
erard's eyes, and he was so metamOrphOsed
that he wished he had been more genial to
the Misses HetheringtOn-hc even thought
he might have offered TO kiss them.
Poor thingSl And they are Owens chill
drenP he sighed reprOachfully. 'Well,
they must have some new playthings. Thatll
make it all right"
He summoned Thomas and gave an order
which caused that worthy parsonage to en-
terrain doubts as to his masters sanity. The
tOy-shOps In the village were to be rifled Of
their choicest treasures that night, regard
less Of expense.
Then the young ladies are to stay here"
ventured Thomas, curiosity for once In his
life getting the best of his decOrum.
"Of course they are to stay here" snapped
Mr.. Everard.
Next he summoned Mrs. Wilson and in
formed her that two or three of the largest
and sunnieSt rooms must be prepared ex-
pressly for the use of the Misses Hethering-
ton and their nurse, who were, for the pres
ent at least, to reside at the homestead, and
that Martha, the nurse would advise her as
to the habits and needs Of the children.
And does he think Pm TO be advised by
an Ignorant nurSe-wOman, and to stay here
and see her hugging and kissing those chill
dren, and to have the little impudent minxes
racing all over tho house% Queried good
Mrs. Wilson, theoretically, Of the ceiling as
she closed the study door behind her and
left her master attempting to pick up his
broken thread Of thought on the subject Of
the decay Of modern culture.
But while Mrs. Wilson's question remain
ed yet unanswered, and before poor Jonas
succeeded In regaining his interest In his
interrupted study the library door was
flung open and Daisy and Rose ran In.
We've come to bid you goodnight" said
Rose, putting up her face 10 be kissed.
"And when arc we TO get our presentST
questioned Daisy.
With unusual gentleneSs, and an awk-
wardness that would have been very funny
TO an observer, but to which the children
were entirely ObliviOus, Jonas lifted his lit
tie charges upon his knees, and assured
them Of the forthcoming Of their presents
on the morrow, and his hope that they would
find the old house happy home. Then he
dismissed them to bed.
And certainly his hopes were fulfilled,
however his appreciation Of his charges may
have fuctuated.
The Misses Hetherington took most kind
ly to their new home, and at times, not a few,
turned into a small pandemOnium. Martha
humored them most injudciously, Mrs.
Wilson stormed at them and made them
hate her, but acquired not the slightest con-
troll over Them and their guardian locked
himself In his study and let them go their
own gait, though he often shuddered ut the